The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Keep on trucking: Musicians get invite to join pop-up tour
Musicians are being invited to play a gig with a difference in Perth this summer. Perth Concert Hall and Perth Theatre are gearing up to relaunch Gig On A Truck for a second year.
And they are calling for local musical acts to perform on their mobile pop-up stage.
Electronic or acoustic solo, duo or trios are being urged to get in touch for the chance to play a paid 45-minute set.
The sets will take place at a mixture of locations as lockdown eases.
Lu Kemp, artistic director for Perth Theatre, launched the call for acts. She said: “Artists and audiences are the lifeblood of our venues.
“While we cannot open those venues, it’s vital to find other ways to connect people.
“Gig On A Truck gives us the opportunity to bring local artists at all stages of their journeys together with audiences across Perthshire.”
When it first took to the road last October, Gig On A Truck set up in the car parks and gardens of care homes, entertaining around 120 residents and staff.
And when the current lockdown saw planned performances scrapped, several acts sent videos of their sets to care homes instead.
An unusual set-up for an unusual time, Gig on A Truck has been as valuable to the struggling music industry as it has been to its audiences.
Callum Campbell, frontman of the Fair City’s homegrown country band Longstay, performed on the first Gig On A Truck.
He said: “I really enjoyed the whole experience.
“It was the first time we were able to play together since the pandemic started and since nobody can go out to see a performance these days, it was nice to bring one to them.”
His fellow Longstay frontman Malcolm Swan, who also took part, added: “It was an excuse to get out playing again but also bring some sunshine during these dark times to people.”
Musicians and bands can apply to take part in this summer’s Gig On A Truck by sending a video of themselves performing at least two pieces of music. These should also include spoken introductions. The deadline for applications is Sunday, May 2.
Interested acts should contact Horsecross Arts creative learning coordinator Emma Neck for full details.
Email: eneck@horsecross.co.uk
The resilience shown by both individuals and organisations in recent months has been nothing short of remarkable.
Lockdowns and associated restrictions have had a devastating impact on just about every economic sector. Yet as some of the most stringent rules begin to be relaxed it is innovation and imagination that will carry us through.
In Perth artists are being asked to perform on a pop-up stage. It is not only a boost for an ailing industry – it is a timely shot in the arm for entertainment-starved locals.